USS Cleveland (LCS 31) Commissions Next Saturday
11 May 2026
Cleveland, Oh. -- USS Cleveland (LCS 31) will be commission on
Saturday,
May 16 at 10:00 a.m. EST in Cleveland.
LCS 31 is the final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship to be commissioned. Registration for tickets ends tomorrow
Monday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. on the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation website at
https://www.usnavyceremonies.org/CAPS/cleveland-commissioning/4-total-tickets-External_Website_Form_Guest_Validation_Ticket_Modern_Rounded_Style_3684e01e-9fe6-410f-b36a-9c4afc4f4722.html.
The commissioning ceremony will stream on the Defense Video Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) at
http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37601. The live stream will begin at 9:50 a.m. EST, and the ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. EST on May 16. The media are encouraged to use this public-domain livestream footage in their coverage.
A
media availability will be held on
Thursday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Those available to interview include Cmdr. Bruce Hallett, commanding officer of USS Cleveland.
Media are invited to an Enlistment Ceremony on
Friday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m. EST. Navy Talent Acquisition Groups (NTAG) Ohio River Valley’s Lt. Zachary Butler will swear in Ohio natives as future U.S. Navy Sailors in front of the future USS Cleveland.
Media interested in participating in these events are requested to RSVP no later than
Wednesday, May 13, at noon (EST) to
surfacewarriors@gmail.com. Please provide the correspondent’s name, organization, email, cell phone number, the event(s) they plan to attend, any specific coverage requests, and airing information. All requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended to submit information for any potential attendees and confirm the attending correspondent the day prior.
Attending correspondents should review the precautions at the bottom of this advisory.
Registered media will receive a confirmation email with participation instructions the day before the specific event and must present media credentials at check-in.
Ceremony Livestream:
http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37601
Additional imagery available at:
10 May 2026:
(2 images)
(b-roll)
(b-roll)
9 May 2026 Arrival:
(7 images)
(7 images)
(3 images)
(b-roll)
(b-roll)
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYIjT5vARUd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYIX_DAv6vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYISJgqNL6z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Commissioning Announcement:
DVIDS - News - Navy announces commissioning date and location for the future USS Cleveland (LCS 31)
FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: Please note that per the FAA, there will be a NO DRONE ZONE within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet above any US Navy vessel operating, transiting, or at port within the territorial waters and/or navigable waters of the US.
CAUTIONS: Correspondents should not participate unless they are in good health and fully ambulatory. Ships cannot accommodate guests who require crutches, canes, walking boots, or wheelchairs.
Navy ships, by their very nature, present certain hazards not normally encountered ashore. These hazards require persons on board to exercise a high degree of care for their own safety. Do not operate equipment or switches, position any valves, or enter any posted areas without prior approval from the ship’s force. Be aware of where you place your hands. Never grasp cables or wires. Please be aware that the ship's ladders are steep, and the tour will involve walking and possibly climbing. If you are claustrophobic or have other physical ailments, it may be better to forego your visit.
ATTIRE: Civilian guests should dress casually, wearing comfortable clothing – jeans or slacks, shirts, and comfortable walking shoes. Shoes with low, rubberized soles are suggested. A ship is an industrial environment with steep stairways called ladders; high-heeled shoes, open-toed shoes, sandals (including Crocs), skirts, and dresses are not permitted. Do not wear dinner jackets or ties. Also, avoid necklaces that can get caught, and anything else that may affect the ability to climb steep stairs and ladders with both hands. Participants wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing will not be provided a tour.
PHYSICAL EXERTION: There are no elevators for moving people on a warship. Guests must be fully ambulatory and able to climb multiple flights of stairs to navigate the ship. Navy vessels are physically demanding work locations and are designed for the typical age and physiological characteristics of active-duty Sailors and officers. There are no ADA facilities on U.S. Navy ships.
A shipboard obstacle to be aware of is ‘knee-knockers’ located in hatches (doorways), raised by 12 inches. Hatches are cut into steel bulkheads (walls) located throughout the ship. Moving from bow to stern (front to back), guests will pass through dozens of these hatches requiring a ‘high step’ to clear each bulkhead.
Guests who are unable to overcome these obstacles should reconsider their participation. We want to make this a productive visit for all, and that won’t happen if time is spent in Sick Bay or if correspondents are physically unable to move around the ship. Guests arriving who are not fully ambulatory or who begin to struggle will be medically screened by shipboard personnel and may be denied permission to continue their visit. An appropriate resolution will be determined based on the situation.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: In the unlikely event of an emergency, alarms will sound, and announcements will be made over the 1MC (ship-wide loudspeakers). You are requested to stay where you are and remain clear of all passageways and operating areas. Do not obstruct ladders or hatches (doors). Allow the ship’s personnel to perform the required action without interference. The member of the ship’s company in charge at the scene will explain the situation as soon as they are able.